Razer, the world leader in high-performance gaming hardware, unveiled the next generation of the world's first true gaming laptop, the Razer Blade. The Razer Blade raised the bar on portable gaming laptops, pushing performance limits without compromising on its ultra-thin form factor. The new Razer Blade will be available for pre-order for $2,499 on Sept. 2 and begin shipping to consumers in North America on Sept. 30, 2012.

"The all-new Razer Blade is built to defy all conventions; it is has extreme levels of performance and yet amazingly thin," said Min-Liang Tan, Razer Chief Executive Officer. "The Blade features the next generation of Intel quad core processors combined with powerful NVIDIA GTX class graphics chips and the fastest RAM available, resulting in a machine that is insanely powerful."

The original Razer Blade's thermal system was completely re-engineered and built from custom-crafted parts with larger vents and specially designed heat pipes that allow more airflow to the unit's extreme components. With one of the most innovative thermal solutions in the industry, the new Razer Blade incorporates a tremendous amount of power and performance in an ultra-thin form factor.

The new Razer Blade is only 0.88 inches thick, less than half the thickness of traditional gaming laptops of comparable performance. Combined with an ultra-slim power supply, the entire system weighs less than seven pounds, less than half the weight of other gaming laptops, making it the lowest profile, lightest gaming laptop of its class.

In short – the Razer Blade has equivalent performance to some of the most powerful traditional gaming laptops, but at a fraction of their size and weight.

PC gamers will now be able to experience today's most graphics-intensive games at phenomenal frame rates on the new Razer Blade's remarkable 17.3-in. high-definition display. The machine's new hybrid drive solution delivers data up to three times faster than traditional hard drives, with double the storage space. Additional features include quieter fans, optimized speakers, and three USB 3.0 ports with charging capabilities even when the system is switched off.

The most striking and innovative feature of the Razer Blade remains its multi-award-winning Switchblade User Interface (UI). The unique integrated LCD display/multi-touch panel and 10 dynamic adaptive tactile keys put commands and control functions within fingertip reach. The Switchblade UI features a growing list of applications designed specifically for gaming by Razer's in-house software engineers as well as by Razer's active community of users. These apps allow users to browse the web for in-game guides, watch online videos, stay connected within their social networks, and take advantage of an expanding list of dedicated gaming apps without ever having to leave a game.

"With the new Razer Blade, we set out to design something truly phenomenal with extreme performance for gamers in an ultra-thin form factor," said Min. "The design and hardware advancements, combined with our revolutionary user interface, makes the new Razer Blade, without doubt, the very best gaming laptop we've ever designed. The Beauty is now the Beast."

About the Razer Blade gaming laptop
The new Razer Blade is a 17-in. gaming laptop that delivers extreme performance and all-new features and applications in a ultra-portable form factor. It features a fast Intel Core i7 processor and a high-performance NVIDIA GeForce graphics processor within in a lightweight aluminum chassis. The revolutionary Switchblade User Interface, located next to the Blade's full-size keyboard, was designed by Razer from the ground up to enhance gaming experiences and provide more control at the gamer's fingertips. The Switchblade features 10 adaptive tactile keys and a multi-touch LCD panel that can also display in-game information. And at just 0.88 inches thin and weighing a mere 6.6lbs, the Razer Blade is the world's first true gaming laptop.

Did they really sell enough of the first one to justify a 2nd one? I mean sure this one definitely has more horsepower than the previous(660M vs the "mid range" 555m) But still an over priced "gimmick" in my eyes

This thing makes Macbook Pro look like it's generously priced. This much for a cheap TN screen. No thanks. I rather grab the lower priced MBP Retina with slightly slower GPU, more mobility, best trackpad, and better resell value.

Better hardware? Thats a GTX 660M. Its better than what comes in the MBP and it is Kepler, not Fermi like what is in the 670M in higher end gaming laptops. Screen higher res too. I don't count the Retina MBPs. Those are appliances, not computers. They'll be upgraded from that rating when Apple removes the mammoth thumb from their butt regarding user expansion and servicing. So...never since it seems all Apple products will eventually become gadgets or appliances.

This incarnation of the Razer gaming laptop actually is a gaming laptop now. Last revision was a joke. The trouble is...you can get a gaming laptop from other makers with the same specs for $1500 less.

So, you're paying $1500 for a special keyboard. That earns a /facepalm and a point n laugh at those who buy these overpriced laptops.

What I really like about this laptop is the touch-pad on the right side of the keyboard. I think this should be a standard for right-handed users. I literary hate the touch pad in the middle or mid-left position on regular laptops. It is true I always use a mouse, but man it would be awesome if the just remove the num-pad and replace it with this. So much better. That I would call incremental innovation.

I just don't understand the market for "gaming laptops" (which I don't think actually exist). I game in my free time... you know, when I'm home. If I need a portable computer what are the chances the place I need it at is going to allow me time to play a game?

I guess if you are lucky and have a cozy job where you sit and don't actually do anything...

I guess if you are lucky and have a cozy job where you sit and don't actually do anything...

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I actually had one of these.... the pay was crap. but for 12hrs a day i got to be my own boss so i bought a laptop and totally went beastmode on whatever offline SP games i could at the time.... Though that was back in 2005/06 mind you.

otherwise id just sit back and watch DVDs.

the reception i was working at was incredibly small yet the site manager laughed when he saw me come in almost every day with my 14.1 gaming laptop and a set of USB speakers to use. quite a nice job if you dont mind doing shift work and being by yourself most of the time.

I actually had one of these.... the pay was crap. but for 12hrs a day i got to be my own boss so i bought a laptop and totally went beastmode on whatever offline SP games i could at the time.... Though that was back in 2005/06 mind you.

otherwise id just sit back and watch DVDs.

the reception i was working at was incredibly small yet the site manager laughed when he saw me come in almost every day with my 14.1 gaming laptop and a set of USB speakers to use. quite a nice job if you dont mind doing shift work and being by yourself most of the time.

security work mainly - you can either work at sites with teams or at smaller sites where they just require the one security guard. though it still depends on the nature of the site you work at even though its single manned. If you work somewhere thats not always open to the public - clear it with the client first, the client is the boss or the manager of the building or the business you are currently deployed with - not your own boss back at HQ.

you gotta keep yourself entertained you know..... I was allowed to bring a laptop in but i wasnt allowed a cable or wifi to connect to the internet.

Some people didnt like the site because it was boring - and there is literally nothing to do apart from working at the reception and talking walks around the building buzzing traffic in and out.

but I loved it. usually when you go to sites with their own security teams theres usually some sort of drama going on 9 times out of 10. the guys have serious issues either with each other or management and thats not the kind of environment i like to work in because everyone wants to know your opinion and you cant give one without taking sides.

Ive worked with some good teams however. everyone knows their job and their place etc etc. few sites i worked at the team there was like a family.

I dunno I think I could live with pretty much the same specs at more than half the price.

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Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying the Razer is good value. I just feel like a GTX660m (read desktop 650) with a display of that resolution is pointless. I'm not sure if I could live with that resolution in Windows anymore at all.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying the Razer is good value. I just feel like a GTX660m (read desktop 650) with a display of that resolution is pointless. I'm not sure if I could live with that resolution in Windows anymore at all.

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Well I am currently typing on a 17" "behemoth" right now(old now and was never strong) But it's only 1440x900(bet that made ya cringe) It's only got an 84000M G powering it so it's fulfilling it's regular duty right now. Surfing the web.

I would be happier with a smaller machine and if it's "fully loaded" like that one it's gonna be able to game on it pretty easily "turned up" because of the lower res.

Sooo yeah my Asus g75 has an i7 3610qm which is a 3rd generation i7 quad core processor with hyperthreading , it has a 17.3 inch 1080p screen and a nvidia gtx 660m as well as a 1tb hard drive. And I payed ~$1350 for it, is the Razer branding really worth ~$1000?